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St John the Baptist Church – Questionnaire Update May 2021

Approximately 150 flyers were hand delivered to properties in Allington to determine how open St John the Baptist church should be opened to allow access by members of the parish and interested visitors. A questionnaire was distributed to all properties in the parish to seek residents’ opinion on the best option. The options for opening the church were:

1. Keep the past system of opening by prior request and with open access for special events; about 3-4 times throughout the year.

2. As No 1 with the church additionally being open one weekend a month 10-16:00hrs (10-15:00hrs in winter).

3. Suggestions for opening.

Of the 150 flyers delivered to properties in Allington, the results were as follows:

• 47 replies were received

• 35 were in favour of option 1

• 9 were in favour of option 2

• 2 were in favour of both option 1 and option 2

• 1 abstained as they would have no need to use the church

By a large margin, the past arrangements for opening were voted to be continue:

• Keep the past system of opening by prior request and with open access for special events; 3-4 times throughout the year.

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Stonehenge Tunnel – Update

Expected work on Allington Track

The link road work planned for Allington Track for diversion of the track through to Solstice Park will be progressed during the Autumn of this year and will connect to Equinox Drive as seen on the attached.

Work on the central barrier is planned for Winter 2022 and is expected to include the closure of the present Allington Track crossing.

Click here for more information.

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Groundwater Flooding

This video explains what groundwater is, where it occurs and how and why communities are vulnerable to groundwater flooding. The video also signposts viewers to some useful information on groundwater flooding and also how to sign up to receive the groundwater flood alerts and warnings.

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Michael Brunton

The Allington Parish Councillors were both shocked and greatly saddened to hear that their Chairman, Cllr Michael Brunton, passed away suddenly, following a stroke, in early March.

Michael was a member of the Parish Council for 13 years, 12 of which were as the Chairman of the Council. Michael was such an active member of the Council, regularly meeting with the Parish Steward, undertaking litter picks in the village every Sunday morning, being an active member of the Speed watch team and co-ordinating highway work, to name but a few.

This was only part of the active role that Michael undertook in the village of Boscombe and Allington, his wife Fiona and he organised and hosted village fetes, garden parties, Christmas Pageants and Firework displays. All of which raised money for the Community Village fund to go towards a new village hall.

In August 2020 Michael was awarded a British Empire Medal, (BEM), for his services to the Community and his response was a humble one when he advised, ‘We are all part of a team; everyone contributes’.

Michael desperately wanted a Village Hall for the Community; a place where everyone could meet, enjoy themselves and come together. Since becoming Chairman he had sought to find a suitable site for a new Hall and explored means to finance both the required land, the build and the fitting out of the Hall. The opportunity came with the proposed building of a new development of houses below Bourne View above the Bourne River. In the negotiations with the developer a site, including a sports area and a Hall for the Village were agreed to be included within the overall development.

Michael worked hard with the Community to make this happen and to ensure that the village was fully consulted and informed before the plan was finalised.

This year the new Village Hall for Boscombe and Allington is almost complete on the new ‘Bluebells’ housing site. This was Michael’s long-term project and the Parish Council and Community will continue to work together to complete the project. The Council has proposed to honour him by naming the hall in his memory.

The Parish Council vow to continue with Michael’s legacy of working together for the good of the village — he will be greatly missed.

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Allington Project

The development of homes and Village Hall between Allington and Boscombe is moving along at pace. The view unit is now complete with the first on-site viewings taking place. Plots 2-8 are all now nearing completion and 9-11 are not too far behind. At the top end of the site, units 12-17 are now all at roof level and internal works have begun. Units 18-21 are ready for floor finishes internally and externally the gardens are being formed. Units 22-24 floor finishes have started and externally the gardens are formed and fences up. The Village Hall is progressing well and they are on target to complete this at the end of February.

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Link Scheme

Bourne Valley Link Scheme will close over the Christmas and New Year period from 5pm on Friday, 18th December until 9am on Monday, 4th January. The scheme’s volunteers provide neighbourly services to those in need in the Bourne Valley parishes of Cholderton, Newton Toney, Allington, Boscombe, Idmiston, Porton, Gomeldon, the Winterbournes and Hurdcott.

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Stonehenge Tunnel

Plans to build a tunnel near Stonehenge for the A303, costing around £1.7billion, have been approved by the Transport Secretary.

It comes after almost 30 years of discussions of how to improve traffic in the area, with proposals first submitted in 1991. Fieldwork is due to start in late spring next year, with the main five-year construction phase expected to start by 2023.

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Remembrance Service

Remembrance Service will be held at St Andrews Church, Boscombe on Sunday 8th November, 2020. The truncated Service (because it is outside) will be led by Michael Camp and will be held in the churchyard with social distancing. The aim is to start at 10.45am though people are invited to assemble at 10.30am. The first part of the Service will only take 15 minutes so that The Last Post and two minutes silence will coincide with 11.00am as is traditional. This will be followed by laying of Wreaths. We hope that as many residents as possible will attend in these difficult times.

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Leaves Galore

It is that time of the year again… Falling leaves on our pathways increase day by day and will get worse over the next couple of weeks. The Parish Council cannot afford to clear such leaves on pavements day after day – the cost is prohibitive and the leaves will continue falling. Our contractors will periodically “blow” the leaves in affected areas (such as Chalk Pit) but residents taking daily exercise and dog walkers must take care particularly when the leaves are wet.

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Tower Repairs

Friends of Friendless Churches who own St John the Baptist in Allington are undertaking serious repairs to the tower. This will involve the tower being scaffolded from late November 2020 to early in the New Year. We ask all residents who regularly use the Church pathway (dog walkers) to adhere to the necessary warning signage and follow the temporary footpath in front of the Church doorway for fear of any unavoidable falling debris that could potentially cause injury. The churchyard will remain open for visitors who wish to visit family graves, particularly over Christmas.

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Affordable Homes

Selwood Housing, a local not-for-profit housing provider, will soon be offering a range of affordable homes at the new Bluebells development in Allington. Affordable homes is a term used to broadly describe homes that are more affordable than those offered through the traditional private rental or sales market, especially for families or individuals who may struggle to save the larger deposits that the private market requires.

Selwood Housing will be providing five homes for affordable rent – a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed houses, as well as two homes for shared ownership – one 2 bed and one 3 bed house. All homes are due for completion in Autumn 2020. Frances Geary, Selwood Housing’s head of new business & homeownership, says, “We’re delighted to be involved at the development in Allington and to be able to offer these affordable homes to the local area. We know that for more rural locations, finding an affordable home isn’t always easy, but we hope these properties will support those in the community to stay close to their friends and family.”

Selwood Housing has been providing affordable homes in the south west over the last 30 years, with homes in Wiltshire, Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset. Their other local affordable housing schemes are located at Kingsgate in Amesbury and at Longhedge and Old Sarum in Salisbury.

If you would like further information about Selwood Housing’s affordable homes at Allington, please call 01225 715 715 and ask to speak to lettings for affordable rent enquiries, or the home ownership team for shared ownership enquiries. Further information can also be found at www.selwoodhousing.com

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Virtual Fair

For those residents that regularly attend the annual Early, Early Christmas Fair in Tidworth, this year it will be a ‘Virtual Event’. To be held over 10 days (21st September-1st October) it will be an online event not to be missed (www.eecfair.org.uk) in aid of ABF the Soldiers’ Charity.

Besides online shopping other attractions include a VIRTUAL PINKSTER GUN TASTING EVENT (Friday 25th September, 7pm-7.45pm); a VIRTUAL CURRY SUPPER – order a curry supper delivered to your door; a PRIVATE VIRTUAL ANTIQUE VALUATION by experienced valuers; an ONLINE RAFFLE; BOOK SIGNING – order your personally signed book from Colin Thackery, the 89-year-old Chelsea Pensioner and winner of the 2019 Britain’s Got Talent (100% of proceeds to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity) and CHRISTMAS CARDS – your chance to buy our charity Christmas Cards online during the event.

You will find the stalls all ONLINE brimming over with inspiring gifts and treats for everyone, including delicious food items, fashion, personalised stationery, books, beauty products, pictures, stocking fillers, beautiful things for your home and garden, gifts for men, women, children and babies – and much more. With over 130 stalls, there really is something for every passion and interest. With every purchase you make, 10% will go to the charity. The website is now live so have a browse (www.eecfair.org.uk).

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Now Open

The Earl of Normanton and the Allington Playpark will open as of 4th July, having been closed for over 3 months following the Covid-19 Pandemic. As regards the Playpark, this is, of course, great news for the youngsters in the village as summer holidays get in full swing, but parents are reminded to stay vigilant and continue to ensure everyone respects social distancing regulations.

The Earl of Normanton in Boscombe is also opening its doors as of 4th July.  Government restrictions will be in place and the Pub will open each day at noon. Closing times each day will be published on facebook. With recent investment in the pub outside areas, there’s sure to be good take-up of the opportunity to once again enjoy a pint and a meal at this  popular pub. For more details tel: 01980 610251.

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Drive Through

With the further easing of lockdown restrictions and introduction of one metre social distancing, numerous residents remain concerned about a possible second wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Residents should be aware that a drive-through coronavirus testing facility is now open at the Beehive Park & Ride on the outskirts of Salisbury. Anyone experiencing a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste, can book an appointment on the NHS website or by calling 119 to be tested for whether they currently have coronavirus.

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Obituary

It is with sadness that we record the death of David Burroughs, aged 86. He was buried in Boscombe Cemetery on 22nd June. He and Bridget moved into Boscombe Village in 1973. He worked at Queen Manor Farm until retirement, looking after the farm machinery. He was always the ‘Mr Fix-it,’ remembered by his friends and neighbours as the person who could make anything and it worked. People recollect a honey spinner (made from an old spin dryer), an attachment to a door key for Elsie Tillyer whose arthritic hands could not cope with a yale key and numerous other devices.

After retirement, he spent his time as a general handyman, plus looking after the churchyards and cemetery. His many acts of kindness included making a box to store water bottles for visitors to the cemetery to use for their flowers. In his spare time, if he had any, he would service all sorts of garden machinery and kept a lot of the older cars in the village on the road. To his friends and neighbours he was extraordinarily kind and always glad to have a bit of a “chin wag.” In his later years, his health deteriorated but he was devotedly nursed by his wife Bridget. He is sadly missed by many. (Contributed by Glynis Barnes).

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Garden Waste

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, garden waste collection renewals were delayed this year but Residents now need to renew their subscription by 14th August if they wish to continue to receive the services. The cost is £50 per bin for the year. You can renew or sign up to receive garden waste collections at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste

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No Bonfires

Numerous residents in Allington have asked us to remind people not to light garden bonfires at the moment. It makes life miserable for those people with asthma and similar conditions. It also means having to shut all the windows on hot stuffy evenings and nights. This has been going on throughout ‘lockdown,’ but has got more prevalent in the past few weeks. Please use your Green Bin or take your garden waste to the tip for the forseeable future. Thank you.